Vancouver, B.C., gets MLS team; Portland's bid put on hold

Major League Soccer (MLS) announced today that Vancouver, B.C., has been awarded an expansion franchise.

Don Garber, commissioner of MLS, said the Vancouver franchise is scheduled to begin play in 2011.

The league originally was scheduled to announce two expansion franchises, but Garber hinted last week that the league was still reviewing bids and he added that MLS could opt to postpone its decision about a second expansion franchise. And with some issues still lingering, MLS did decide to postpone its choice of the second city until a later date. Portland is one of three cities (St. Louis, Ottawa) that have submitted bids for the second expansion franchise.

The three remaining cities all have either investor, funding or stadium questions still unanswered.

Portland's bid was strengthened last week after the City Council approved the use of some public funds to help renovate PGE Park for soccer and build a minor baseball stadium in the Rose Quarter. Details of the city's funding the renovation and construction are still being worked out and reviewed, which could be one reason why MLS delayed its decision of awarding the second franchise.

Of the other two cities vying for an expansion franchise, St. Louis has a stadium deal -- and brewing giant Anheuser-Busch offered another site as a home for a possible stadium last week -- but Garber has previously expressed concern about the investors backing the bid. Stadium issues linger in Ottawa, where city officials are deciding whether to fund a new soccer stadium or renovate a stadium for the city's potential Canadian Football League franchise.

Vancouver's addition to the 15-team league (the Philadelphia franchise will join the league for the 2010 season) comes at a time when the world economy is struggling. However, MLS officials, noting the sold out inaugural game for the expansion Seattle Sounders tonight in Seattle and record season-ticket sales, are confident their expansion plans will succeed.